54.—(1) As soon as practicable after the conclusion of the first count (including any re-count), the returning officer must draw up a provisional statement showing—
(a)the total number of ballot papers used,
(b)the total number of rejected ballot papers,
(c)at an election contested by three or more candidates—
(i)the number of first preference votes given for each candidate, and
(ii)the total number of first preference votes given, and
(d)at an election contested by only two candidates, the number of votes given for each candidate.
(2) As soon as practicable after completion of the statement, the returning officer must—
(a)inform such of the candidates and their election agents as are then present of the contents of the statements prepared in accordance with rule 51(5) and paragraph (1) of this rule, and
(b)inform the combined authority reporting officer of the contents of those statements.